RNLI column: 140,000 lives saved

Dec 12 2012

IN 2012, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution saved its 140,000th life – that’s about the same as the population of Birkenhead and Bebington and, I’m sure you’ll agree, a remarkable achievement.

If you have a new year’s resolution to meet more people, support your local community or take on a challenge then the RNLI could be what you’re looking for.

There are opportunities for everyone to get involved and make a real difference to their local lifeboat station – you don’t have to go out on a lifeboat to be part of the RNLI!

One off fundraising

Friday, January 25 is the RNLI’s national fundraising day, SOS Day, where we ask people to support their local lifeboat station by doing something a little out of the ordinary all with a Support Our Stations theme… dress up as Sailors Or Scallywags perhaps, or something ‘foody’ like Sample Our Scones. Anything goes, and donations from SOS events help make sure our crews have the equipment and training that they need to save lives at sea.

Joining the team

We have teams of people throughout Wirral and Merseyside who organise fundraising events, sell raffle tickets, help at store collections or talk to groups about the work of the RNLI. Fundraising committees are a great way to get more hands on – and there are teams near you looking for people to join them.

Helping as and when

Rather than joining a team, we also have fantastic volunteers who help as and when it suits them, perhaps for an hour or two just a couple of times a year. If this sounds like something you would be interested in please register your details on www.rnli.org.uk/deckhands and we can let you know about opportunities in your area.

Our volunteer lifeboat crews and flood rescue teams are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week - even on Christmas Day - and the help we receive from our dedicated fundraisers and supporters throughout the year ensures our crews can carry on saving lives.

I want to thank you for your support of the RNLI this year, in whatever form that has been, and – if it’s not too early – to wish you all the very best for 2013.

For more information about the RNLI, log on to rnli.org or call 0300 300 9902.